System for recording sound



Jan. 16, 1934. Q 055 1,943,556

SYSTEM FOR RECORDING SOUND Filed Sept. 18. 1928 INVENTO R Patented Jan. 16, 1934 7 1,943,556 SYSTEM FOR RECORDING SOUND Oscar A. Ross, New York, N. Y.

Application September 18, 1928 Serial No. 306,655.

15 Claims. (Cl.'179-100.3)

- This invention refers to systems for synchronously photographically recording sound and action on films, and more particularly to that class more generally known as talking movies.

5, When recording the speech of actors during the simultaneous recording of the action, either jointly on one film or on separated films, it is customary to gage the amplitude of the recorded sound by the sound volume characteristics of a 10 oud speaker in a monitor room, the acoustic characteristics of which are preferably proportioned to the acoustic characteristics of a theatre or theatres in which the recorded sound and action are to be finally presented. To build a separate monitor room for each type of theatre now in general use would entail prohibitive expense and therefore a monitor room of general average acoustic characteristics must be chosen.

Furthermore, actors voices vary considerably n'vocal characteristics, each requiring -a preferred modulated circuit between the microphone and light valve recording the sound impulses onto the film.

On of the objects of this invention is to proyide a system of recording sound and action simultaneously whereby a plurality of sound records of varying amplitude are simultaneously recorded on separated films, in this manner permitting the selection of a sound record of ideal amplitude for the particular theatre in which it is to be presented, or the choice of a sound record of proper amplitude for general use, if the operator of the monitor room has erred in his judgment as to the proper amplitude for the 35. ecording of the normal sound record.

Another. object is to furnish means for recording a single sound record through a plurality of variably modulated circuits whereby the voice of actors having varying voice characteristics may be recorded in chronological order on the same sound track, each of an amplitude whereby the reproduced records will render a pleasing and well balanced vocal presentation in synchronism with the action of the motion picture presentation. v

Other objects and advantages will appear as the description of the invention progresses, and

the novel feature of the invention will be pointed out in the appended claims.

This invention consists in a novel construction and arrangement of parts hereinafter described, delineated in the accompanying drawing, and particularly pointed out in that portion of this instrument wherein patentable novelty is claimed for certain and peculiar features of the system, it being understood that, within the scope of what hereinafter thus is claimed, divers changes in the form, proportions, size and minor details of the structure may be made without departing from the spirit of, or sacrificing any of the de- 6Q; tails of the invention. a

In describing the invention in detail, reference I is had to the accompanying drawing, wherein I'have illustrated embodiments of my invention, and, wherein like characters of reference, designate corresponding parts throughout the sev-. eral views, and in which:--

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view of one form of the invention, and Fig. 2'is also a diagrammatic view of a modified form of the invention.

Referring to Fig. 1,- actors S, M and L are assumed to be speaking intermittently into micro-' phones 1S,'1M and IL, during the recording'of talking motion picture production each actor having'small, medium and large voices, respec-- tively. I

The microphones 18, 1M and IL each have a variable amplifying device as 28, 2M and 2L in the circuit thereof, each circuit being inde p'endently controlled by a circuit closer as 3S, 3M and 3L adjacent said actors, whereby any one or all the circuits may be closed at will for definite and variable periods of time.

Each microphone circuit also includes known translating devices 44 andlight valve units 55'supported by sound recording cameras 6A, 6N and 68 having raw negative ribbon film therein arranged to be advanced by rotation of shaft 7 driven by motor 8, said shaft also driv-- ing motion picture camera 9.

Each light valve unit, as 5, is arranged to control passage of light rays from lamp or light source 10 to said film, in the circuit of which isarranged a rheostat 11, the resistance 12 of which may be cut in or out by contact lever 13. 5

Referring to Fig. 2, the same actors S, M and L are assumed to be speaking into a single microphone 40, in the circuit of which are included in multiple a plurality of variable amplifying devices as 28, 2M and 2L and a plurality of circuit closers, as 38, 3M and 3L, said circuit also including light valves as 5-5 similar in function and similarly supported in cameras 6A, 6N and 65, said cameras also supporting similar light sources, as 10, the circuit of said 5 sources including a variable resistance rheostat,- as 1212, controlled by a lever, as 13.

I IS microphone circuit Referring to Fig. 1, assuming actor S is speak 110.

ing, the director or an assistant operator depresses circuit controller 3S, whereupon a circuit to microphone 18 is established as follows:

From positive energy, wire 25, circuit controller 36, wire 26, lever 27, 1 section of resistance 28, wire 29, microphone 15, wire 30 to amplifying device 4 and thence to negative energy, said amplifying device in known manner amplifying the electrical oscillations in that portion of the circuit including light valve units 5-5, said circuit flowing from device 4 to wire 31, thence through said light valves in series, and thence returning to said amplifying device through wire 33.

In addition to supplying energy to light valve units 5-5, each amplifying device, as 4, also supplies energy to a loud speaker 21 in the monitor, or control room 32, and the character of the sound produced thereby is assumed to be substantially the same as the sound subsequently reproduced from the sound record photographically impressed on the film in sound recording camera 6N, in response to energy impulses from microphone is, when and as a positive film produced therefrom is caused to reproduce said sounds. In other words, said camera is recording normal sound records assuming the judgment of the operator of the monitor room who is further assumed to be listening to loud speaker 21, has been correct in modulating the circuits to the microphones and light valve units.

It will be noted that one-half the resistance 12 is included in the circuit to light source 10 of sound recording camera 6N, it being assumed that such adjustment furnishes sufilcient illumination for the aforesaid normal sound recording by light valve unit 5 of said camera.

It is to be further noted that lever 13 of sound recording camera SA has all the resistance 12 cut out whereby light source 10 therein is producing abnormal illumination, in this manner producing the recording of an abnormal amplitude sound record on the film in said camera, and it will be still further noted that the lever 13 of sound recording camera 68 is positioned to include all of resistance 12 whereby a sub normal illumination will be produced in light source 10 of said camera, in this manner producing the recording of a subnormal amplitude sound record on the film therein.

From the foregoing it is therefore obvious that when the circuit controller 38 is depressed, and actor S speaks into microphone 18, that his speech is recorded by each of sound recording cameras 6A, 6N and 68, camera 6A recording an abnormal amplitude sound record, camera 6N, a normal record, and camera 63, a subnormal amplitude record. Therefore if the operator in the monitor room has erred in his judgment of normal recording, the developed negative from sound recording camera 6A or 66 may be employed for printing of normal positive, depending upon which manner he has erred.

Assume that actor S has completed his lines,

and that actor M is to speak, the operator will release circuit controller 38 and depress circuit controller 3M, thereby establishing a similar hereuntofore described circuits to microphone 1M, and sound recording cameras 6A, 6N and 6S controlled thereby, and said cameras will likewise cause recording of abnormal, normal and subnormal amplitude sound records on the films therein, and, assuming further that actor M has completed his lines and that actor L is to speak, the operator will release circuit controller 3M and depress controller 3L, whereby camera 6A, 6M and 6S, controlled by microphone 1L, will similarly record the three difierentiated amplitude sound records upon the film therein.

It will be noted that whereas the circuit to microphone 18 has only one section of resistance 28 in series therewith, the microphone 1M has two such sections and microphone 1L has three of such sections, it being understood that the comparatively greater supply of energy to microphone 15 will effect a recording of sound waves, which when reproduced will be of substantially the same loudness, or amplitude, as the similar reproduced waves recorded by microphone 1M, and that likewise, the comparatively reduced amount of energy to microphone 1L will effect a sound wave recording, which when reproduced, for exhibition thereof, will be of substantially the same loudness, or volume, as similar waves produced by reproduction of sound waves recorded by microphone 1M. In other words, although the voices of actors S, M and L closer 38, wire 26, rheostat lever 27, thence it through 1 section of resistance 28, to wires 43 and 44:, thence to microphone i0 and wire 45 to amplifying device 4, and thence through wire 46 to negative energy, the amplified electrical oscillations traveling from said device through wires 4? to light valve units 5-5 of sound recording cameras GA, 6N and SS, in series and thence through wires 505O returning to said device, said cameras recording the sound waves in abnormal, normal and subnormal form as herein described in connection with Fig. 1.

When actor M is to speak, circuit closer 3M is depressed and the circuit to microphone 40 is established through rheostat 2M, two sections' of which are in series, thence through wires 51 and 52 completing the circuit as described when circuit closer 3S is closed.

When actor L is to speak, circuit closer 3L is depressed, the energy flowing through three sections of rheostat 2L and thence through wires 53 and 52 and thereafter completing the circuit asdescribed when circuit closer 3S was depressed.

From the foregoing it will be noted that when actor S with the smaller voice is speaking, microphone 40 is rendered more receptive to sound waves, whereas when actor M having a medium voice is speaking, said instrument is rendered less receptive and still less receptive when actor L having a loud or large voice is speaking, and that by thereby fixedly varying the receptive proportion of said instrument to suit each actor, a

more accurate recording of the sound waves therefrom may be obtained.

It is also to be noted that as each actor as S, 1

M or L, is speaking a triple sound record is made by cameras 611, SN and 6S, one record being recorded as normal, another as abnormal and the;

third as subnormal amplitude whereby a choice of records may be made as the negative films from said cameras are developed for printingsound amplitude may be synchronously recorded positives therefrom.

' Associated with amplifying device 4 is a suitable loud speaker 21 preferably located in the monitor room 22, whereby preliminary adjustment of rheostat levers, as 35, 3M and/or 3L, may be made to suit the particular actors who are to perform.

A motion picture camera, as 9, is suitably driven in synchronism with sound recording cameras 6A, 6N and 6S, preferably by a motor as 8, whereby the sound and action are recorded simultaneously.

Whereas only three adjustments of rheostats 12 are shown, it is to be understood that a greater number may be employed and that rheostats 28, 2M and 2L may be likewise modified.

It is to be understood that the circuit closers, as 38, 3M and BL are located adjacent the action and sound being recorded whereby the operator thereof may have knowledge when said circuit closer should be opened and closed.

t is also .to be understood that the modulating devices 2S, 2M, and 2L, although shown adjacent the circuit controllers 3S, 3M and 3L, are assumed to be located in the monitor room 22 and under the control of the operator thereof whereby the circuits to the microphones, as 1S, 1M, IL, or as may be adjusted for the recording of proper amplitude sound records during a rehearsal prior to the final recording.

Whereas the abnormal, normal and sub-normal recording of the sound records in sound records cameras GA, 6N and 6S has been described as being accomplished by variation of the light intensity of light sources, as 10,1{), such recording may be also accomplished by varying the amount of resistance 48 arranged toshunt out a portion of the energy between the light valves of each of said cameras. It will be noted that the sound recording camera 6A, (Fig. 2) is receiving all the energy therethrough, whereas the camera 6N is receiving a lesser amount of energy, the variable resistance 48 positioned between said cameras, acting to shunt out a portion of said energy through resistance 48. It will also be noted that camera GS is receiving a further reduced amount of energy impulses, the variable resistance between cameras 6N and 6S acting to further shunt out said energy impulses before reaching camera 68. If desired a combined variable positioning of the'levers, as 13-13 to vary the intensity of the source of illumination, and a variation of the resistance 48 to vary the amount of the energy shunted, may be effected.

What I claim is:-

1. Apparatus for recording sound comprising, sound recording apparatus arranged to synchronously advance a plurality of light sensitive photographic sound tracks for recording the sound thereon, an energized circuit including sound responsive apparatus arranged to receive the sound to be recorded, a plurality of light -controlling devices associated with the recording apparatus responsive to the circuit including the sound responsive device apparatus arranged to effect recording of the sound onto the sound tracks, a light source for each light controlling device arranged to efiect recording of the sound onto the tracks in response to the operation of the light controlling device, and means associated with each light source for adjustably varying the light intensity thereof -relatively whereby sound. records of differing onto the tracks as advancement thereof is effected by the recording apparatus.

2. Apparatus for recording sound comprising, a sound responsive device included in an energized circuit arranged to produce electrical oscillations therein in response to sound waves affecting the device, an energized amplified circuit of electrical oscillations formed in response to the flow of the energy in the first named circuit, sound recording apparatus arranged to advance a plurality of sound record tracks, and

a plurality of sound recording devices associated with the apparatus arranged in series relation in the amplified circuit, each device being arranged to record a sound record of the oscillations onto a correlated sound track in response to the flow of the energy in the amplified circuit.

3. Sound recording apparatus comprising, an energized circuit inciuding a sound response device arranged to produce electrical oscillations in the circuit in response to sound directed into the device, a second energized circuit including means for amplifying the flow of energy in the first named circuit for producing amplified electrical oscillations in the last named circuit, sound recording apparatus arranged to advance a plurality of sound record members synchronously, and a plurality of sound recording deices associated with the apparatus arranged in series relation in the amplified circuit each device being arranged to record a sound record of the electrical oscillations onto a correlated advancing sound record in response to flow of energy in the amplified circuit.

4. In a system for recording sound, a microphone for receiving the sound including a circuit having the energy therein modulated in re-- sponse to the sound received by the microphone, an amplifying device including a recording circuit having the energy therein modulated in response to the modulation of the energy in the microphone circuit, a plurality of photographically sensitive sound tracks advanced synchronously, alight valve associated with each sound track for recording sound thereonto, the light valve being connected in series relation inthe recording circuit.

5. In a system for recording sound, a micro phone for receiving the sound including a circuit having the energy therein modulated in response to the sound received by the microphone, an amplifying device including a recording circuit having the energy therein modulated in response to the modulation of the energy in the microphone circuit, apparatus for advancing a plurality of sound tracks synchronously, a plurality of sound recording devices each arranged to record the sound onto a correlated sound track, and means connecting the devices in series relation in the recording circuit, the series connection thereof formed between each device being independent of any other portion of the recording circuit.

6. In sound recording apparatus for recording waves of differing frequency produced in response to sound, means for advancing a plurality of photographically sensitive sound tracks, means responsive to the waves for photographically recording sound onto certain of the advancing tracks in differing amplitude, and means affecting the recording means for effecting therecording of differing amplitude sound 15c;

records having differing photographic intensity on certain other advancing sound tracks.

'7. In a sound recording system, a plurality of sources of sound of differing amplitude, a microphone correlated to each source for receiving all the recordable frequencies produced thereby, a source of energy, a normally open circuit connected between each microphone and the energy source, means for varying the flow of energy in each circuit for effecting a normal amplitude flow therein with respect to the amplitude of the sound source correlated thereto, means responsive to the circuits for recording sound onto advancing photographic film, and means selectively closing the circuits for rerecording sound produced by selected sound sources.

8. In a sound recording system, a plurality of sources of sound of differing amplitudes, a microphone correlated to each sound source for receiving all the recordable frequencies produced thereby, a source of energy, a normally open circuit connected between each microphone and the energy source, means for vary- .ing the flow of energy in each circuit for effecting a normal amplitude flow therein with respect to the amplitude of the sound source correlated thereto, means for advancing a plurality of sound tracks synchronously, means re- ,sponsive to each circuit for recording sound onto a selected sound track, and means selectively closing the circuits for recording sound produced by selected sound sources onto selected advancing sound tracks.

9. In a system for recording sound, a plurality of sources of sound of differing amplitude, a microphone for receiving all the recordable frequencies of sound from all the sources, a source of energy, a plurality of normally open circuits connected between the energy source and the microphone, each circuit being correlated to a selected sound source, means in each circuit varying the flow of energy for efiecting a normal amplitude flow therein with respect to the amplitude of the sound source correlated thereto, means for advancing photographic film, means responsive to the circuits for photographically recording sound onto the advancing film, and means selectively closing the circuits for recording sound produced by selected sound sources only onto the advancing film.

10. In a system for recording sound, a microphone for receiving the sound including a circuit having the energy therein modulated in response to the sound received by the microphone,

an amplifying device including a recording circuit having the energy therein modulated in response to the microphone circuit, sound recording apparatus for advancing a plurality of sound tracks synchronously, a plurality of sound recording devices arranged in series relation in the recording circuit for recording sound onto the advancing sound tracks, certain of the recording devices having all the energy of the circuit flowing therethrough for recording the sound in one amplitude, and means variably. shunting a portion of the energy in the recording circuit around certain other devices for recording sound records of differing amplitude onto othe sound tracks as they advance.

11. In a sound recording system, a microphone for recording the sound including a circuit having the energy therein modulated in response to the sound received by the microphone, an amplifying device including a recording circuit having the energy therein modulated in response to the modulation of the energy in the microphone circuit, sound recording apparatus for advancing a sound track, a sound recording device for recording the sound onto the sound track in a predetermined amplitude in response to the modulated energy flow in the recording circuit, and means affecting the recording device for varying the amplitude of the sound record recorded thereby independently of the modulated energy flow in the recording circuit.

12. In sound recording apparatus, means for advancing a plurality of photograhpically sensitive sound. tracks, synchronously, a light valve associated with each sound track for recording sound thereonto in response to modulated energy actuating the light valves, a source of light for each light valve, and means independently varying the light intensity of each light source.

13. The method of recording sound which involves, advancing a plurality of photographically sensitive sound record tracks and during the advancement photographically recording the sound onto a selected track with one light intensity simultaneously With photographically recording the same sound onto other selected 11 tracks with differing light intensities.

14. The method of recording sound which involves, advancing a plurality of photographically sensitive sound record tracks and during the advancement photographically recording the 120 sound onto a selected track in one amplitude and with one light intensity simultaneously with recording the same sound onto other selected sound tracks in other amplitudes and with other light intensities. 125,

15. The method of recording sound which involves, producing sound of varying frequency, advancing a plurality of photographically sensitive sound record tracks synchronously, and during the advancement thereof photographi- 1gb cally recording all the sound produced onto certain tracks in differing amplitudes simultaneously with photographically recording the differing amplitude records onto certain other tracks in differing photographic intensity. 35

OSCAR A. ROSS. 

